Theaters across Utah are joining exhibitors across the country to take part in National Cinema Day — selling movie tickets for $3 each (not counting taxes and online and third-party fees) on Saturday, Sept. 3.
The Cinema Foundation — the nonprofit arm of the National Association of Theater Owners, the major trade group of movie exhibitors — is launching the event “dedicated to promoting the essential cinema exhibition industry by developing diverse workforces and growing moviegoing communities through research, education and philanthropy,” according to a foundation news release.
Jackie Brenneman, the foundation’s president, said in a statement: “After this summer’s record-breaking return to cinemas, we wanted to do something to celebrate moviegoing. We’re doing it by offering a ‘thank you’ to the moviegoers that made this summer happen, and by offering an extra enticement for those who haven’t made it back yet.”
According to the foundation, some 3,000 locations, with more than 30,000 screens, will be participating nationwide.
In Utah, the following theater operators will be participating:
Labor Day weekend is, traditionally, one of the slowest weekends at the box office — even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Movies opening this weekend include the mock-documentary “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.,” and the extended cut of the superhero action movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home: The More Fun Stuff Version.” They will join established summer hits, such as Jordan Peele’s thriller “Nope,” Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Brad Pitt in “Bullet Train,” the horror-comedy “Bodies Bodies Bodies” and the animated “DC League of Super-Pets.”